Redress and the Redress Fund, plus Asian American firsts in politics

Vol. 101, No. 4, July 26, 1985. 12 pages. View this issue

Irene Natividad of New York became the first Asian American to head the National Women’s Political Caucus, and the front page carried her election. Also on page 1, the California state senate voted 29-3 to support redress for Japanese Americans, and Inner Circle Productions planned a mini-series on the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Gordon Hirabayashi toured East Coast cities to raise funds for his legal challenge, and Bill Marutani, Yosh Nakashima and Henry S. Sakai wrote on redress and JACL priorities.

Elsewhere in the issue: the Hawaii Times, the state’s oldest Japanese-language newspaper, ceased publication after 90 years. A Topaz High School class held its 40th reunion. Chapter news covered the Tri-District convention in Milwaukee, Florin’s 50th anniversary and a Tanabata celebration in Little Tokyo, and the Asian American Journalists Assn. opened a Seattle chapter.

What’s in this issue

National

• Asian American to Head Women’s Caucus, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Irene Natividad of New York became the first Asian American to head the National Women’s Political Caucus on June 30, defeating Linda Hallenborg by a vote of 312 to 262. She pledged to fight for ERA, affirmative action and other causes as director of the 77,000-member caucus.
• Lee, Hsieh May Run for San Francisco Supervisor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Civil service commissioner Louis Hop Lee was endorsed by the Chinese American Democratic Club as the most viable candidate for S.F. board of supervisors in 1986. Police commissioner Thomas Hsieh is also considering a run, while potential candidates Julie Tang and Ben Tom have decided not to run.
• Discrimination Suit Against L.A. County Postponed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kent Wong of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center announced that a class action discrimination suit against L.A. County on behalf of employees Wally Shishido and Tom Ohgi is being postponed pending negotiations. The suit alleges the county’s Health Dept. uses a promotion quota based on county Asian population rather than qualified Asian applicants.
• Commissioner Mori Reappointed Despite Criticism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mayor Tom Bradley reappointed attorney Jun Mori to the Harbor Commission despite allegations of conflict of interest reported in the L.A. Times. City attorneys have accused Mori of participating in matters that could financially benefit him and his clients, though Mori denies wrongdoing.
• Sansei Professor Awarded Fellowship, page 10. Dr. Michio Kaku, a Sansei nuclear physics professor, was awarded a prestigious fellowship by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to tour Japan’s laboratories and lecture on Unified Field Theory. Kaku is also active in the peace movement, having spoken at a major disarmament rally in New York and authored a book on nuclear power.
• Journalists Add Third Chapter in National Push, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 12. The Asian American Journalists Assn. launched a Seattle chapter on July 13, its third chapter following Southern and Northern California chapters. Speakers including Lori Matsukawa and Ron Chew discussed the need for more Asian Americans in journalism and management roles, and how the organization can respond to coverage issues like a recent Seattle Times article that mischaracterized Japanese Americans as foreign nationals.
• Columbia University to Host Civil Rights Conference, page 12. Minority Rights Group will hold a conference on Asian and Pacific American civil rights issues at Columbia University October 4-5, featuring panelists including Judge William Marutani and attorney Dale Minami. Topics will include the WW2 internment, immigrant rights, and anti-Asian violence.

Arts & Entertainment

• TV Mini-Series on Internment Planned, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. Inner Circle Productions is developing ‘U.S. On Trial,’ a 10-12 hour docudrama mini-series about the WW2 internment of Japanese Americans, seeking community stories for the project. Co-producer Kerry Nakagawa said the series will cover prewar prejudice, camp life, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and postwar resettlement, with production slated for 1986 and airing in 1987.
• Dancer to Offer Special Performance, page 3. Asha ‘Patti’ Hanada-Rogers, a dancer and choreographer, will be a guest performer at the 2nd Heart Mountain Reunion dinner/dance in San Jose. Her repertoire includes ‘Spirit,’ a piece incorporating traditional Japanese music and martial arts reflecting her Sansei heritage.
• Pioneers in the True Sense, by Ann Mutsuko Colunga, page 9. A book review of Patsy Sumie Saiki’s ‘Japanese Women in Hawaii: The First 100 Years,’ which chronicles the lives of Japanese immigrant women who overcame hardship to forge new roles in Hawaiian society. The book connects these pioneers to later generations of accomplished Japanese American women in Hawaiian politics and arts, including Patsy Mink and Jean Sadako King.
• Artist Taira Exhibits in New York, page 10. A reception at the Marseilles marked the opening of an exhibit of artist Frank Taira’s work, spanning 50 years and including 53 paintings and six bronze sculptures. The exhibit, attended by fellow Japanese American artists and community members, was arranged through the West Side Federation for Senior Housing.

Incarceration & Redress

• State Senate Endorses Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California state senate passed a resolution supporting reparations for Japanese Americans by a 29-3 vote, with Sen. Ralph Dills carrying the measure. The resolution calls on Congress to pass redress bills HR 442 and S 1053, which would pay $20,000 to each living former internee.
• Hirabayashi Gains East Coast Support, page 3. Gordon Hirabayashi toured three East Coast cities to raise funds for his legal effort challenging his WW2 conviction for violating curfew and evacuation orders. Reps. Norman Mineta and Don Edwards expressed support, and Hirabayashi met with former Seattle residents in New York at a commemorative event.
• Topaz Reunion Held, page 10. Approximately 150 former classmates and faculty gathered for the 40th reunion of Topaz High School’s Class of 1945 at the Presidio Officers Club, reminiscing about camp life during WW2 internment. Banquet speaker Mike Suzuki shared recollections of teenage experiences, and the event concluded with informal discussion of redress for their internment.

Community

• Japanese National Kills Wife, Wounds Mother-in-Law, by Katie Kaori Hayashi, page 3. Hiroshi Itai, 35, a Japanese national, shot his Japanese American wife Tsuyako and her mother Shigeko Oshiro on July 8 in West Covina, allegedly over family problems involving their daughter. Tsuyako died from four gunshot wounds while Oshiro survived with facial injuries, and Itai was charged with murder and attempted murder.
• Carole Fujita: The Fight Continues, by John Saito, page 5. Dr. Carole Fujita, who previously won a discrimination case against L.A. County, is now contesting the promotional exam process for Pharmacy Services Chief III after being evaluated by someone who had previously ruled against her and was not a pharmacist. Her attorney requested a new examination at a Civil Service Commission hearing, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for August 21.
• Seminars Focus on Nisei Fitness, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nutritionist Pearl Yamane spoke at ‘Miles to Go,’ a fitness class for Nisei in San Francisco’s Japantown, about the importance of proper nutrition in preventing age-related disorders. The class, now in its third year, combines lectures, nutrition demonstrations, aerobics, and shiatsu lessons.
• Florin Chapter Marks 50th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Florin JACL chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration is set for October 26 at the Sacramento Hilton Inn, with Rep. Robert Matsui as main speaker. Co-chairs Al Tsukamoto and Bill Kashiwagi are organizing the event with local dignitaries and past officers attending.
• Idaho Falls Chapter Hosts Sister City Delegation, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A sister city delegation from Tokai-Mura was honored with a July 4th luncheon in Idaho Falls after participating in the parade in traditional kimonos. The 18-member delegation celebrated the 4th anniversary of the cultural exchange agreement between the two cities.
• San Jose Chapter Plans Fashion Show, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Jose JACL will hold a fashion show, ‘Sportswear for all Seasons,’ at the Red Lion Inn ballroom on August 25. Tickets can be purchased by mail through the San Jose JACL.
• Placer County Chapter Sets Benefit Movie Fund-Raiser, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Placer County JACL chapter will sponsor its annual benefit movie fund-raiser on August 10 at the Placer Buddhist Church hall, showing two Japanese films. Proceeds help fund various chapter programs and activities.
• West Valley Chapter Plans Daruma Folk Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 8th annual Daruma Folk Festival, a benefit for senior citizens, will take place August 17 at Saratoga Lanes Parking Lot in San Jose. A planning meeting is scheduled for July 31 to organize volunteers and raffle ticket sales.
• So. Calif. Celebrates Tanabata, by Katie Kaori Hayashi, page 9. Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo and Pacific Square in Gardena celebrated Tanabata, the Festival of Lovers, on July 7 with decorations, performances, and cultural events. Pacific Square’s celebration included a 5-kilometer run, karaoke contest, and other activities reflecting the area’s historically significant Japanese American population.
• Women’s Conference Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Women’s Concerns Committee of NCWNP District JACL plans a conference titled ‘Japanese Women in Transition’ at Laney College on September 21. Workshops will address leadership, communication, parenting, business, and handling major life changes for Japanese American women.
• Schools to Promote Asian Awareness, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The Asian American Resource Workshop received funding for ‘Ten Minutes Away,’ a project to teach Chelmsford, Massachusetts students about Southeast Asian cultures through arts and humanities. The curriculum, developed with Southeast Asian community members, aims to build understanding between non-Asian students and the area’s growing Southeast Asian immigrant population.

Commentary

• First Things First, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Columnist Bill Marutani argues against elevating U.S.-Japan relations to a top JACL priority, insisting redress remains the organization’s paramount moral issue. He contends JACL should not become a trade bridge between the countries, warning that without restoring personal dignity, other gains will mean little.
• One Thing Leads to Another, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. Columnist Bob Shimabukuro writes about enduring summer heat without air conditioning amid a machinists’ strike, reminiscing about childhood drives with his father to escape asthma attacks and watch boxing matches. He also reflects on having his daughter visiting and asks readers for help getting his air conditioning fixed.
• Change of Heart, by Yasuo Ishida, page 4. A letter writer expresses dismay at Japan’s fingerprinting policy for foreigners and its citizenship laws for non-Japanese parents’ children born in Japan. The writer concludes that Japan still suffers from an insular ‘sakoku’ mentality despite its technological advancement.
• Thanks Again, Pete, by Violet de Cristoforo, page 4. The Redress Committee of Salinas Valley Chapter JACL thanks Pete Hironaka for donating cartoon booklets used to appeal for LEC donations. The booklets have been commended by a California senator and a U.S. congressman for informing House members about the internment and need for redress.
• NCWNP and LEC, by Yosh Nakashima, page 4. Yosh Nakashima, immediate past governor of the Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific District JACL, addresses rumors that his district has opposed LEC fundraising efforts. He calls for unity and clarifies that leadership has not purposely held up the fundraising drive.
• From the Frying Pan: For Fellow Philatelists, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa follows up on a previous column about WW2 relocation center postmarks, with Bill Fujita clarifying that McGehee, Ark. was the only camp with ‘Relocation Br.’ in its postmark. Dr. Louis Fiset, a postal historian, is gathering envelopes and letters from the internment era for a documentation project and monograph.
• Why Tonosama Enjoyed the Samma, by Jin Konomi, page 8. Columnist Jin Konomi continues his series debunking samurai mystique, discussing the folk tale ‘Meguro no Samma’ and the story of Lord Yamauchi Yōdō’s wit toward Chancellor Abe Masahiro. He explains that daimyo ate the same monotonous, cold food due to poisoning fears, which is why Lord Matsuye so enjoyed the farm wife’s freshly grilled fish.

JACL

• Evaluating and Communicating, by Henry S. Sakai, page 5. Former JACL national treasurer Henry Sakai questions whether the LEC board properly evaluated all redress campaign options before committing to its current fundraising strategy. He also calls for more communication and reporting from national JACL leadership through the Pacific Citizen so members and delegates can make informed decisions.
• Is the Benefit Mutual?, by Yosh Nakashima, page 6. Nakashima questions the purpose and benefit to JACL of trips to Japan sponsored by the Liberal Democratic Party, noting the National Board had limited input into the program. He calls for broader representation in future delegations and clarity on whether the organization truly benefits from the program.
• Tri-District Meet Coming Soon, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The first tri-district JACL convention held east of the Rockies, involving the Eastern, Midwest and Mountain Plains districts, will be held in Milwaukee starting August 1. The event includes workshops, business sessions, and a keynote address by Rep. Robert T. Matsui.

In-Depth

• Oldest Japanese-Language Newspaper in Hawaii Folds, by Roland Kotani, page 7. The Hawaii Times, Hawaii’s oldest Japanese language periodical founded in 1895, ceased publication and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after 90 years of service. The paper, which played a significant role in Hawaii’s labor and immigrant history, had been struggling with declining circulation and financial difficulties before suspending operations.

Sports

• 14 Jr. Olympics Records Broken, by P.C. Staff, page 8. San Jose JACL won its third straight NCWNPDC Jr. Olympics championship on June 2 at Chabot College track, with fourteen records broken across men’s and women’s divisions. Standout athletes included Dennis Namimatsu, Michelle Smith, and Kelly Bungo among others.

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